Santa and helpers prepare for the tree lighting Friday, November 27, 2020 near Petersburg’s municipal building. (Joe Viechnicki/KFSK)

Petersburg kicked off the holiday season Friday with the annual tree lighting in two showings for COVID-19 social distancing. Viewers were treated to a show with Christmas and children’s characters onstage by the municipal building.

Petersburg Chamber of Commerce director Mindy Lopez introduced this year’s honorary tree lighter, 99-year-old Art Hammer.

“In 2021, the Christmas tree lighter and the two-family corporation will be celebrating a hundred years. Please put your hands together and join me in congratulating the 2020 Christmas tree lighter Art Hammer,” Lopez said. “Hello Art, congratulations. He will be a hundred years old in July, that’s amazing.”

Participants counted down and cheered the lighting of the tree.

Hammer served in the U.S. Army from 1942-46. He worked for 41 years in retail management for the local company Hammer and Wikan, which has hardware, grocery and convenience stores in Petersburg.

Want to keep local journalism going strong? Consider supporting us.